Episode 216: “We need, in a special way, to work twice as hard to help people understand that the animals are fellow creatures, that we must protect them and love them as we love ourselves.”

Welcome to the 216^th episode of Our Hen House, featuring Ginny Messina [transcript], with special guest Jessika Ava [transcript].
In today’s episode – hold onto your rescued kittens – because we share with you the very big announcement that we’ve been sitting on for months. We also tell you about the segment we guest hosted on Brooklyn Independent Media’s BK Live, all about the use of animals in circuses. We chat about stock images, and when they might be exploitative – even thinking beyond just food pictures. Plus, we’ll let you in on our experiences teaching at Main Street Vegan Academy last week, we’ll squawk about how wonderful it is to have music back in our lives, and we’ll bring you the latest in Rising Anxieties.
Joining us today is Ginny Messina, whose new book – Never Too Late to Go Vegan – which she co-authored with Carol J. Adams and Patti Breitman, hits stores this week. Ginny, who is also a registered dietician with a Master’s in Public Health, will cover the gamut from popular health questions, to how to advocate veganism to the over 50 crowd, to why, indeed, it is never too late to change.
Then, we’ll be joined by Jessika Ava, who will be discussing her new policy paper for Brighter Green, entitled Beyond the Pail, which charts the rapid expansion of dairy CAFOs in Asia, including in countries of East Asia that have never had a tradition of drinking milk and have widespread lactose intolerance. Jessika will also share with us her plans for her upcoming trip to Kathmandu to volunteer with a street dog organization.
All that, vegan banter, and — of course — current events from the world of animal rights.

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“We need, in a special way, to work twice as hard to help people understand that the animals are fellow creatures, that we must protect them and love them as we love ourselves.” -César Chávez